Pre-95.

[Nathan S]

NB: Keeping this seperate from the pre-90 discussion.

I've seen it dismissed as a joke a few times - but should it be?

The newest pre-95 bike is already older than pre-75 bikes were in the beginning of VMX.

None of them have alloy frames, 3D ignitions, solenoid carbs, or modern riding positions.
There's no main-stream fast 4-strokes.
They are all indisputably, hoplessly outdated against real moderns.

The newest pre-95 bike is already older than pre-75 bikes were in the beginning of VMX.

Our collective focus on the obvious improvements that marked the end of the pre-75 era, and the end of the Evo era, blinds us to the continued advances made on newer bikes.

The newest pre-95 bike is already older than pre-75 bikes were in the beginning of VMX.

If anyone wants to claim that a 1994 model has a hope against moderns, then you're dreaming.

The newest pre-95 bike is already older than pre-75 bikes were in the beginning of VMX.

VMX is about looking back at the past. But if we stubbornly refuse to move out of the past, then we're doomed.

The newest pre-95 bike is already older than pre-75 bikes were in the beginning of VMX.

[Billet YZ]

Nathan you feeling brave today

[Nathan S]

A little.
Mostly annoyed that we're still pretending that its 1994 and (in our 1994 fantasy) we're pretending that its 1974.

Either the 1994 fantasy or the 1974 fantasy is fine - I induge in both quite regularly...
But both at once is all screwed up.

[POM]

Brave or not, nathans just saying whats obvious.....pre 95 bikes are now 15yrs+ old...that is old old old in modern day terms....these pre 90/95 bikes are vmx's future.....The future is coming....
Just changing the subject slightly,has anybody consider on the future availability of pre 95 mxe'rs.......correct me if im wrong but I believe the numbers of mxe'rs sold in the 90's were vastly down on the 70/80's.......could this lead to a starvation of bike supply in the next 10/15yrs?

[VMX247]

Nathan you feeling brave today

He must be and me too   ..
Wish Nathan would preserve the era's we have and not create another one 
my opinion only.
cheers

[firko]

This just has to be a fuc*ing wind up.

Funny thing, I was exchanging emails with an American mate this morning and he told me that the fastest growing sector of the sport in his area, the Northwest Coast, the Premier class (roughly pre 65) is attracting vastly increased numbers and that they, like us are finding it hard to fill many classes in the Evo and pre 85 divisions. The same arguments for and against pre 90 and pre 95 are going on there as well. He reckons that it's become very cool for younger guys to race the older bikes, especially British bikes and reckon it's a flow on from the Rockabilly, Rat Rod, 50s/60s nostalgia thing. My mate recently sold a BSA Metisse to an ex Crusty freestyle champ married to a pop star........

[vmx42]

My mate recently sold a BSA Metisse to an ex Crusty freestyle champ married to a pop star........

…did he get a free tatoo, or body piercing? 

No disrepect Firko, but you will have kittens if the young, tattoo/body piercing set flood the pre-65 races with their bling, their attitude and flat peaked caps. 

[LWC82PE]

I havent seen anyone here pushing for pre 2000

[firko]

No disrepect Firko, but you will have kittens if the young, tattoo/body piercing set flood the pre-65 races with their bling, their attitude and flat peaked caps. 

You calling me unhip Jeff? If you want to see those folks frolic in their own comfort zone, go to a Nostalgia drag meeting or one of Deus ex Machinas swapmeet/open days. The way these kids have taken on old stuff that we've moved on from is amazing. Flathead fords, six Stromberg manfolds atop 421 Buick nailheads, Holden grey motors, you name it....it's all a passion to these kids and the intensity they show towards the old stuff is great. My mate Mike reckons that their discovery of old desert sled Triumphs and the street tracker movement few years ago has inspired the progression into the older VMX classes. He told me they are more sticklers to period correctness than the older (read my) generation and that the humble TRIBSA has become the new 490 Maico with new bikes turning up almost every meeting.

To be honest, I like these kids and their attitude. I'm not so much into the tatts or piercings but the stuff they like is the stuff I like and grew up with. The hot rod, chopper and custom car movements have gone back to the fifties for their influence, why not VMX. If it keeps the sport alive and adds colour to a pit area that's quickly turning into a sea of yellow, red and white plastic, I'm all for it.

Pre 95?.....As I said earlier....Nathan's enjoying himself by giving us a wind up so don't take it too seriously .

[vmx42]

You calling me unhip Jeff?

It's no fun if you don't bite! 

[shoey]

[VMX247]

Long live the RAT 

[shoey]

Go the rat

[VMX247]

Go the rat

That's him 

[Nathan S]

Pre 95?.....As I said earlier....Nathan's enjoying himself by giving us a wind up so don't take it too seriously .

Absolutely not.
I'm not demanding pe-95 VMX now, but I am hoping that we might be able to start thinking about it sensibly.
I hoping that in the near future we might be able to make a rational decision based on its merits (or lack there-of), rather than a reactive impulse.